‘When you wear a hat, you become the dream started when the hat was conceived’

My name is Claire Jackson and I create couture bespoke ladies hats for all occasions from initial design to final fit and finishing. My hats are created from scratch using couture millinery techniques, I do not buy in had bodies and then add ribbon and extras.

Vintage Replica

I use design styles from the many originals I have acquired over the years or from pictures, templates and patterns from the original 1940’s/50’s era. I recreate hats that represent the range of these eras. from the CC41 austerity period of ‘make do and mend’, right through to some more elaborate American late 40’s early 50’s styles.

Hats of these times were designed to be worn at various angles on the head and therefore come with hat elastic or a comb to keep securely in place. The hats that you see on this site are currently for sale. I take regular commissions and you are welcome to view all the collections past and present to help you decide which style you would like. I have put pictures of hats I have made and prices sold at shows in the past which give you a representative of the styles and colours you could expect to find at my events.

Contemporary design

In addition to vintage, I also create hats with a modern 21st Century appeal, named Minivers 21C, producing a collection that encompasses amongst others, materials that have been made popular over the last 20 years, Sinamay, Jinsin, Crin etc. Using these wonderful and workable fabrics make millinery full of endless possibilities. You can see a selection of this collection in Minivers 21C collection and they will be at London Hatmosphere 2019 at Old Brompton Gallery, Kensington, the shop will be open from 18th May – 23rd June, where they can be purchased.

I believe that everyone can look good in a hat, or headpiece, it’s just a matter of trying on! Therefore I encourage all browsers to open their minds, consider all styles and shapes, sit down at a mirrors and try on as many hats as they like, they won’t break! I will guide you to how the hat should sit, working with your own features and hair styles.

I work out of a large wooden shed at the bottom of the garden in Somerset but you can also find me at Sherringham 40’s Railway weekend in September, the stall is at the stallholders arena at High Kelling Station Holt.